Summary of Best Bets
Best Value: R3 (1) Artgirl
Next Best: R5 (9) Monopolistic
Best Bet: R7 (13) King’s Secret
Turf Talk:
- True Entire.
- With the dry track and rail True, on speed horses look to be slightly advantaged overall.
Race 1
The promising (10) Yesnova has put together two solid runs to begin his career, most recently at Hawkesbury where he led for the majority of the race before being run down late. He strips fitter now third-up and looks a very progressive type capable of taking further improvement.
(7) Rhetoric has been given plenty of time before making his debut here and his latest trial over 850m was encouraging, hitting the line strongly. With Tommy Berry sticking, he appears ready to run well on debut.
(6) Portofino resumes for his second campaign after showing plenty of greenness during his first prep, but his recent trials suggest he has matured and improved since.
(9) Royal Corporal resumes after a 17 week break and should take significant benefit from that run, with improvement expected as this preparation unfolds.
Selections:
(10) Yesnova
(7) Rhetoric
(6) Portofino
(9) Royal Corporal
Suggested bet: No bet
Race 2
(10) Kumbaya didn’t enjoy being drawn wide last start at Hawkesbury and should be much more positive out of the gates from barrier two here. He let down well late in that run, which suggests the rise in trip will be to his advantage.
(9) Tutto was ridden cold last start and was never really given a chance to feature, but we should expect to see him settle much closer in the run this time. The step up to 1900m looks far more suitable.
(7) So Rebellious did his best work late over 1550m here last start and has given the impression he’s been looking for more ground. He gets that opportunity now and can be a sharp improver.
(5) Precise Star is another who has been crying out for further and gets his first crack at the 1900m trip, which could see him take a step forward.
Selections:
(10) Kumbaya
(9) Tutto
(7) So Rebellious
(5) Precise Star
Suggested bet: No bet
Race 3
I am once again with (1) Artgirl here, who has shown plenty of ability but has just kept finding ways to get beaten. This shapes as her best chance yet, with the in-form Zac Lloyd taking the ride and the 1200m looking an ideal distance.
(2) Capdiva looks ready to peak fourth-up and has shown she has ability, but is yet to fully put it together on race day. Siena Grima sticks and the 3kg claim looks a definite positive.
(16) In Limbo looked terrific in her most recent trial and has placed when resuming previously, suggesting she’s ready to run well first-up.
(10) Raskol can only improve off her debut effort, where she was very competitive, and she looks set to relish the rise in trip. Drawn barrier four, she should get every chance.
Selections:
(1) Artgirl
(2) Capdiva
(16) In Limbo
(10) Raskol
Suggested bet: Win (1) Artgirl
Race 4
(11) Crimson Wings was dominant in her maiden win at Newcastle and will strip fitter for that effort, benefitting from the added race-day experience. She looks a very progressive filly who should measure up in this grade. The gate is a little tricky, but she has plenty of early speed to work across.
(10) Lull was a touch disappointing first-up but will be fitter for that run and the rise in trip looks more suitable. She has plenty of scope for improvement.
(4) Happy Bellie was terrific winning in Maiden grade at Randwick back in March and has been given plenty of time since. Her latest trial suggests she’s more than ready to go, and she has placed when resuming previously.
(1) Exit Fee was very plain on return at Rosehill, but with 82 days since that run, he’s had time to reset and is capable of bouncing back here.
Selections:
(11) Crimson Wings
(10) Lull
(4) Happy Bellie
(1) Exit Fee
Suggested bet: No bet
Race 5
(9) Monopolistic saluted as favourite on debut and looked to have plenty in reserve, which suggests the rise in trip will suit. He’s since had a tick-over trial and, drawn to get the run of the race from barrier two, looks well placed again.
(3) Hereward was dominant winning in Maiden grade here last week by 2.3 lengths and shapes as a very progressive type. This looks winnable, although the wide draw may require a touch of luck, but he has shown enough early speed to work across.
(8) Michelangelo did his best work late last start, charging over the top at Wyong, and a trial between runs should see him strip fitter for this assignment.
(1) Justice Warrior is likely to roll forward and attempt to lead throughout after an impressive last-start win. This is a tougher test, but he deserves consideration.
Selections:
(9) Monopolistic
(3) Hereward
(8) Michelangelo
(1) Justice Warrior
Suggested bet: Win (9) Monopolistic
Race 6
(5) Cassiel has looked like she needed her first two runs back and faded late last start, albeit behind a smart winner. She strips fitter now and should be in the race for longer this time, with the inside draw allowing her to get the run of the race.
(4) Zulfiqar was dominant winning in this grade here last start and this assignment looks no harder, so he can continue on that form.
(8) Just In Time resumes after a 21 week break and has been given two trials to have him ready. He boasts a strong first-up record and is capable of maintaining that here.
(2) Sydney Bowler put in an uncharacteristic poor effort last start but is capable of bouncing back to his best in this company.
Selections:
(5) Cassiel
(4) Zulfiqar
(8) Just In Time
(2) Sydney Bowler
Suggested bet: No bet
Race 7
The progressive Joe Pride gelding (13) King’s Secret was heavily backed last start and the market got it right, saluting with ease. He will only be fitter for that run and is unbeaten third-up, making him look well placed to go back-to-back.
(1) The Instructor boasts an excellent first-up record and has been trialling well leading into this. We know Gai’s runners are often ridden positively, so jumping and leading again looks the likely tactic.
(4) King Of Roseau was narrowly beaten in a small field at Wyong last start, stays at the 1200m, strips fitter, and should show improvement.
(9) Spywire is an intriguing runner in this field, clearly possessing plenty of talent, though his ideal trip is still being worked out. Drawn well and getting in nicely at the weights, he’s capable of running a drum.
Selections:
(13) King’s Secret
(1) The Instructor
(4) King Of Roseau
(9) Spywire
Suggested bet: Win (13) King’s Secret
Race 8
(20) De Louviere should be ready to peak third-up after running on strongly over 1600m last start to sneak into the placings. The rise in trip looks suitable at this stage of his preparation.
(10) Lunar Lover will benefit from his two runs this prep and now looks ready for this distance. Drawn to get a soft run from barrier three, he should be strong late.
(13) Channelling steps out beyond 1600m for the first time after looking to have plenty in reserve when winning at Kembla Grange, which suggests he can handle the rise in trip. Hard fit from racing, he can be right in this.
(14) Emballee got a little too far back last start in a small field but still hit the line strongly, and with a more positive ride here, he can improve again.
Selections:
(20) De Louviere
(10) Lunar Lover
(13) Channelling
(14) Emballee
Suggested bet: No bet
